Buffalo Bills defensive lineman Ed Oliver's two-year-old son died on June 28 after being found unresponsive in a swimming pool at a residence outside Houston, officials said [1, 2, 3, 4]. The toddler was rushed by ambulance to a Houston hospital where he was pronounced dead at 7:18 p.m. [2].
Oliver, 28, has been with the Buffalo Bills since being drafted ninth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Houston [1, 2, 3, 4]. The team and coach Joe Brady expressed support for Oliver in recent weeks. Brady said, "As a coach, as a father, it's my job to be what he needs from me right now... it's however he wants us to handle it" [3]. Quarterback Josh Allen added, "There's nothing that you can say to make the situation any better except being there for Ed in whatever way he needs... The way that he's dealt with it has been unbelievable" [3].
Bills general manager Brandon Beane called the loss an "unthinkable tragedy" for any parent and pledged the team's ongoing support for Oliver and his family [1]. Oliver and his family have asked for privacy and prayers during this difficult time [1, 2, 3, 4].
Oliver did not play in the Bills' preseason game on August 22 against the Cleveland Browns because of a minor injury [2, 3, 4]. The Bills publicly expressed support for him before the game [1, 3, 4].
The Harris County Sheriff's Department confirmed the investigation into the toddler's drowning is ongoing but declined to give further details or identify the family [1, 2]. Oliver also has a daughter named Ava [2].
